made high days, and hallow- [ing. II In much knowledge the Lord hath divided them, and made their ways diverfe. 12 Some of them hath he bleffed and exalted, and fome of them hath he fanctified and fet near himself: but some of them hath he curfed and brought low, and turned out of their places. 13 As the clay is in the potter's hand, to fafhion it at his pleasure: fo man is in the hand of him that made him, to render to them as liketh him best. 14 Good is fet against evil, and life against death: fo is the godly against the finner, and the finner against the godly. 15 So look upon all the works of the Most High, and there are two and two, one against another. 16 I awaked up last of all, as one that gathereth after the grape-gatherers; by the bleffing of the Lord I profited, and filled my wine-press like a gatherer of grapes. 17 Confider that I laboured not for myself only, but for all them that seek learn+ 18 Hear me, O ye great men of the people, and hearken with your ears, ye rulers of the congregation. 19 Give not thy fon and wife, thy brother and friend, power over thee while thou liveft, and give not thy goods to another: left it repent thee, and thou intreat for the fame again. 20 As long as thou livest and haft breath in thee, give not thyfelf over to any. 21 For better it is that thy children fhould feek to thee, than that thou shouldest stand to their courtesy. 22 In all thy works keep to thyfelf the pre-eminence, leave not a ftain in thine honour. 23 At the time when thou fhalt end thy days, and finish thy life, distribute thine inheritance. 24 Fodder, a wand, and burdens, are for the afs; and bread, correction, and work, for a fervant. 25 If thou fet thy fervant to labour, thou fhalt find reft: but if thou let him go idle, he fhall feek liberty. 26 A yoke and a collar do bow the neck: fo are tortures and torments for an evil servant. 27 Send him to labour, that that he be not idle; for idle-faying, and dreams are vain, nefs teacheth much evil. and the heart fancieth as a woman's heart in travail. 28 Set him to work as is fit for him if he be not obedient, put on more heavy fetters. 29 But be not exceffive toward any, and without difcretion do nothing. 6 If they be not fent from the Moft High in thy vifitation, fet not thy heart upon them. 7 For dreams have deceived many, and they have 30 If thou have a fervant, failed that put their truft in let him be unto thee as thy-them. felf, because thou hast bought him with a price. 8 The law fhall be found perfect without lies and wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth. 9 A man that hath tra 31 If thou have a fervant, intreat him as a brother; for thou haft need of him as of thine own foul: if thou in-velled knoweth many things: treat him evil, and he run from thee, which way wilt thou go to feek him ? and he that hath much experience will declare wifdom. 10 He that hath no experience knoweth little; but he that hath travelled is full of prudence. II When I travelled, I faw many things, and I underftand more than I can exprefs. 12 I was oft-times in danger of death: yet I was delivered because of these things. 13 The fpirit of those that fear the Lord fhall live, for their hope is in him that faveth them. 14 Whofo feareth the Lord fhall not fear, nor be afraid, for he is his hope. 15 Bleffed is the foul of him that feareth the Lord: to to whom doth he look? and, and another pulleth down, who is his ftrength? 16 For the eyes of the Lord are upon them that love him, he is their mighty protection and ftrong ftay, a defence from heat, and a cover from the fun at noon, a preservation from ftumbling, and a help from falling. what profit have they then but labour? 24 When one prayeth, and another curfeth, whose voice will the Lord hear? 25 He that washeth himfelf after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again, what availeth his wash ing. 26 So is it with a man that fafteth for his fins, and 17 He raifeth up the foul, and lighteneth the eyes: he giveth health, life, and blef-goeth again and doeth the ling. fame: who will hear his 18 He that facrificeth prayer? or what doth his of a thing wrongfully got-humbling profit him ? ten, his offering is ridiculous; and the gifts of unjust men are not accepted. H CHAP. XXXV. E that keepeth the law, bringeth offerings 19 The Moft High is not pleafed with the offerings of enough: he that taketh heed to the commandinent, offer the wicked; neither is he 2 He that requiteth a 20 Whofo bringeth an good turn, offereth fine flour: offering of the goods of the and he that giveth alms, fapoor, doeth as one that kil-crificeth praise. leth the fon before his father's dy is their life he that de thereof is a 3 To depart from wickedneis is a thing pleafing to the Lord; and to forfake unrighteousness, is a propitiation. 4 Thou fhalt not appear empty before the Lord. 22 He that taketh away his neighbour's living, flayeth him; and he that defraudeth the labourer of his commandment. hire, is a blood-shedder. 5 For all these things [are to be done] because of the 6 The offering of the 23 When one buildeth, righteous maketh the altar fat, fat, and the fweet favour jdown the widow's cheeks? thereof is before the Moft and is not her cry against High. him that caufeth them to fall? 7 The facrifice of a juft man is acceptable, and the memorial thereof fhall never be forgotten. 16. He that ferveth the Lord, fhall be accepted with favour, and his prayer fhall 8 Give the Lord his ho-reach unto the clouds. nour with a good eye, and diminish not the first-fruits of thine hands. 9 In all thy gifts fhew a cheerful countenance, and dedicate thy tythes with gladnefs. 17 The prayer of the humble pierceth the clouds : and till it come nigh, he will not be comforted, and will not depart till the Moft High fhall behold to judge righteously, and execute judg 10 Give unto the Moftment. High according as he hath enriched thee; and as thou haft gotten, give with a cheerful eye. 18 For the Lord will not be flack, neither will the Mighty be patient towards them, till he have fmitten II For the Lord recom-in funder the loins of the unpenfeth, and will give thee feven times as much. merciful, and repayed vengeance to the heathen; till 12 Do not think to cor- he have taken away the mulrupt with gifts, for fuch he titude of the proud, and browill not receive: and truftken the fceptre of the unnot to unrighteous facri-righteous ; fices, for the Lord is judge, 19 Till he have rendered and with him is no refpect of perfons. 13 He will not accept any person against a poor man, but will hear the prayer of the oppreffed. 14 He will not defpife the fupplication of the fatherless: nor the widow when fhe poureth out her complaint. 15 Do not the tears run to every man according to his deeds, and to the works of men according to their devices; till he have judged the cause of his people, and made them to rejoice in his mercy. 20 Mercy is feasonable in the time of affliction, aş clouds of rain in the time of drought. CHAP. E CHAP. XXXVII. VERY friend faith, I am his friend alfo: but there is a friend which is only a friend in name. 2 Is it not a grief unto death, when a companion and friend is turned to an enemy? 3 O wicked imagination, whence cameft thou in to cover the earth with deceit? 4 There is a companion which rejoiceth in the profperity of a friend: but in the time of trouble will be against him. hide thy counfel from fuch as envy thee. II Neither confult with a woman, touching her of whom she is jealous; neither with a coward, in matters of war; nor with a merchant, concerning exchange; nor with a buyer, of felling; nor with an envious man, of thankfulness; nor with an unmerciful man, touching kindness; nor with the flothful, for any work; nor with an hireling for a year, of finifhing work; nor with an idle fervant, of much bufiness: hearken not unto these in any matter of counsel : 5 There is a companion which helpeth his friend for 12 But be continually the belly, and taketh up the with a godly man, whom buckler against the enemy. thou knoweft to keep, the 6 Forget not thy friend commandments of the Lord, in thy mind, and be not un- whose mind is according to mindful of him in thy riches. thy mind, and will forrow 7 Every counsellor extol-with thee, if thou shalt misleth counfel; but there is carry. fome that counselleth for 13 And let the counsel of himself. 8 Beware of a counsellor, and know before what need he hath, (for he will counfel for himself) left he caft the lot upon thee: 9 And fay unto thee, Thy way is good and afterward he ftand on the other fide, to fee what shall befal thee. 10 Confult not with one that fufpecteth thee and thine own heart ftand: for there is no man more faithful unto thee than it. 14 For a man's mind is fometime wont to tell him more than feven watchmen, that fit above in an high tower. 15 And above all this pray to the Moft High, that he will direct thy way in truth. |